Liverpool striker Dirk scores late goal against Sparta Prague to ensure Reds progress to last 16 of Europa League
Liverpoolu00a0striker Dirk scores late goal against Sparta Prague to ensure Reds progress to last 16 of Europa LeagueAn 86th-minute header from Dirk Kuyt earned Liverpool a narrow 1-0 win over Sparta Prague last night that took the five-time European champions into the Europa League last 16.
|
| Reds hot! Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt (centre) celebrates after scoring against Sparta Prague during their Europa League match at Anfield last night. Liverpool won 1-0 and progressed to the pre-quarter-finals. getty/images |
Liverpool had enjoyed the lion's share of possession against the Czech side but, as in the first leg, they struggled to make their dominance count.
Raul Meireles blazed over wastefully from an inviting Martin Kelly cross in the first half, while French striker David Ngog was one of several Liverpool players frustrated by Sparta goalkeeper Jaromir Blazek in the second.
With extra-time beckoning, Liverpool won a corner on the left-hand side that Meireles curled into the box and Kuyt darted away from the goal-line to cushion an intelligent header into the bottom-right corner.
Liverpool will play either Lech Poznan or Sporting Braga in the last 16.
Elsewhere, a dramatic injury-time goal by American international midfielder Maurice Edu earned Rangers a 2-2 draw at Sporting Lisbon that sent the Scottish giants through on away goals.
After former Rangers man Pedro Mendes had cancelled out El Hadji Diouf's opener for the visitors at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, an 83rd-minute header by Yannick Djalo looked set to give the Portuguese team victory.
Rangers launched a desperate last attack in the 92nd minute, however, and when David Healy rolled in a low cross from the Rangers right, Edu tapped home to send the travelling fans wild.
